Shoplifters Unite and Pick Up "Mozipedia": 'The Encyclopedia of Morrissey and The Smiths' Comes to the US

British journalist Simon Goddard's Mozipedia: The Encyclopedia Of Morrissey And The Smiths was recently released in the US. And seeing as how we were once his neighbors (maybe still are, occasionally, even if he disses us in interviews), West Coast Sound combed through the book's more-than 500 pages to find the L.A.-related items in between antidepressants and Oscar Wilde.

While the sources/bibliography section includes our 2007 cover story, Moz the Cat, by former LA Weekly music editor Kate Sullivan and Cry: The Johnnie Ray Story, by contributor Jonny Whiteside, here are some of the lengthier entries:

Los Angeles -- His former home, muse and reason for going out into the sun. Goddard gives us a whole page (in addition to photos of Moz at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery and the Observatory), with shout-outs to Book Soup, Amoeba, Sunset Marquis Hotel and, of course, his old, four-bedroom Spanish villa on North Sweetzer in West Hollywood. Been there, seen that.

The Cramps -- Morrissey saw the band open for the Police in Manchester, founded the U.K. fan club The Legion of the Cramped and, in a letter to the NME, called them "the kind of group that start revolutionary outrages." Shouted Lux Interior's name while singing the very Cramps-inspired "Something Is Squeezing My Skull" on Jimmy Kimmel Live last year after the singer's death.

Sparks -- Oft-cited influence on both Morrissey and Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr. L.A.-born Mael brothers took part in the Morrissey-curated 2004 Meltdown festival, remixed his song "Suedehead" and wrote "Lighten Up, Morrissey" on their last record.

El Vez -- "Because I saw El Vez recently and I'd like to have a go at stealing all his ideas," he said in 1999 when asked about his interest in Latino culture. Opened for him the same year in Santa Barbara.

Hollywood Bowl -- Sight of two-night stint in October 1992, which sold out in 23 minutes.

Morrissey-solo.com -- Might-as-well-be-official unofficial web site and "main hub of Morrissey and Smiths-related news and activity on the internet," aka online stalker's guide. Goddard also says "its egalitarian interactive portals of user comments have a habit of drawing in the lunatic fringe minority." Who you calling lunatic?

You Are the Quarry -- L.A.-inspired and L.A.-recorded 2004 resurrection album.

Latino fans -- Yes, you're still considered a novelty (Oye Esteban, make it stop!). But at least you've graduated from curiosity pieces in the Los Angeles Times and Spin to a book, complete with "demographic conclusions." Next year, Oxford.

Bea Arthur -- Why wouldn't he be a fan?

Get the Music Newsletter

Keep your thumb on the local music scene with music features, additional online music listings and show picks. We'll also send special ticket offers and music promotions available only to our Music Newsletter subscribers.